Protected fluid container



July 21, 1942. H. s. HINKLE 2,290,135

PROTECTED FLUID CONTAINER Filed NOV. 25, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l a ATTORNEY Jul 21, 1942.

H. S. HINKLE PROTECTED FLUID CONTAINER Filed NOV. 25, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Hair/11315011 cifliii/(IZ MTTQRNEY Patented July 21, 1942 rno'rscrrsn FLUID CONTAINER Hutchinson S. Hinkle, Bethany, Conn-., assignor to National Folding Box Company, New Haven, Conn, a corporation. of New Jersey Application November 25, 1938, Serial No. 242,162

3 6 Claims.

This invention relates to containers for liquids and particularly to a paper or boxboard container especially adapted for thedeliveryof milk and other liquid products. v

The invention consists broadly in a combinatidn of structural features particularly arranged and proportioned to meet'the varying conditions to which a perishable and easily contaminated food product such, for example, as milk, may be exposed. Receptacles embodying thefeatures of,

the present invention may be delivered to the user in partially assembled collapsed form to be thereafter set up, wax-treated, filled, and sealed by the user as needed. The filled and sealed container may be exposed to a wide range of,

weather and temperature conditions without injury to the contents.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a leakproof paperboard containerfor liquid food products that can be economically asand positively protected from contamination.

The invention also contemplates a sanitary structure with a removable closure member which can easily be reinserted.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a .part thereof, in which Fig. Us a plan view of the paperboard blank from which the receptacle is assembled.

. Fig. 2 is a top view of the receptacle partly assembled. I

Fig. 3 is a top view of the receptacle at a further advanced stage of assembly.

Fig. 4is a top view of the receptacle-as nearly c mpletely assembled Fig. 5 is a top view of the receptacle after being filled and closed by a closure cap.

Fig. 6 is a top view of the receptacle when completely assembled, filled, closed and sealed.

Fig. '7 is a plan view of a blank which may 'be ,used to form a second form of the receptacle.

' Fig. 8 is a top' view of the second form of the receptacle as it appears when partially assemsembled. h

Fig. 9 is a top view of the second form of the receptacle as it appears when assembled, filled and sealed by a cap closure member, the cap member being partially broken away'to reveal structural details.

Fig. 10 shows the top closure cap preferably adapted for use with the second form of receptacle,

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the second form of the container as assembled and closed.

Fig. 12 is a. cross-sectional view of the second form of the container as assembled and closed.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, certain specific disclosures of the invention are made for the purposes of explanation, but it will be understood that the details may be modified in various respects without departure from the broad aspect of the invention.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

My improved receptacle may be of any desired shape,' but is preferably polygonal in cross section. This shape also utilizes space in transportation, in storage, and on conveying apparatus.

The receptacle as shown in the first form of the invention comprises generally a body A which may be formed from a single blank of paperboard material which when assembled and filled is closed by a closure cap C. The :bodyforming blank A is cut and provided with vertical scores a to form the side wall panels I, 2, 3 and 4 of the desired size and shape and is provided ply thickness is provided. While Ihave shown this particular type of bottom wall, it is understood that the bottom wall may be otherwise formed to closure flap I2.

provide a leakproof bottom. If desired,- only the initial assembly operation need be performed by the box manufacturer, which initial assembly operation comprises .securing the securing flap 5 to the opposite side wall panel I of the blank. The thus partially assembled blank may be shipped to the contents manufacturer or user in collapsed condition. When the container is to be filled with contents the body of the recep-' tacle is raised into tubular form, adhesive applied to the bottom fiaps 5, 'I, 8 and 9 which are secured together to form the bottom wall of the container. Preferably the innermost bottom fiap has an area which extends over the entire bottom cross-section of the container so that the contents come into contact with only the innermost bottom flap.

The top wall of the receptacle is formed by a pair of main closure flaps I2 and I4 and a pair of sealing flaps I3 and I5 hinged to the side wall panels I, 2, 3 and 4 respectively along a transversely extending score line 0. The closure flaps I2 and I4 each have a circular opening I I which fall into alignment when the flaps are secured together in superimposed relationship. Lateral tabs I3, I1 and I8 are hinged to the main fiap- I2 by score lines d so arranged that the main closure fiap I2 is of sufflcient areatoclose the end of the body section. Adhesive is applied to the various flaps and tabs over a particular area and on a particular side thereof. To clarify the description the index I will be used to indicate one side surface of the blank and, the index y will be used to indicate the other side surface.

The main fiap I2. and its associated tabs I6, I! and I8 have glue applied over their entire surfaces I, as indicated in Fig. 1. A strip of adhesive is applied to surface 9 of flaps I3, I4 and I5. This strip of adhesive is preferably of uniform width and is applied to only that portion III of flaps I3, I4 and I5 which is adjacent the score line 0. Thus the outer portion 20 of flap I3, outer portion 2I of flap I4, and outer portion 22 of flap I5, remain unglued, and the side surface I of fiaps I3, I4 and I5 are not glued at all.

In closing the upper end of the container, flap I2 is first brought down so that its edge defining score lines d are in alignment with the score line intermediate the flaps I 3, I4 and I and the side wall panels 2, 3 and 4. The tabs I3, I! and I8 are then pressed into adhesive contact with the glued surface g applied to portions III of the adjacent flaps I3, I4 and I5.

Main closure flap I4 is then folded over upon flap I 2, substantially covering it, as shown in Fig. 4. Flap I4 is pressed into adhesive engagement with the glue coated "surface I of main Flap I3 is then folded down so as to overlie main closure flap I4, as shown in Fig. 5. It will be noted that the outer portion 20 of sealing flap I3 is unglued, that tab I8 is adhesively secured to portion I9 of sealing flap I3 and that surface f of tab I 8 is coated with adhesive which is pressed into adhesive engagement with main closure flap I4 when flap I3 is folded down to. overlie main closure flap I4. It will be further noted that the outeredge of sealing flap I3 when thus secured to main closure flap I4 does not overlap the aligned openings II.

The receptacle body is next treated with paraffin or other suitable coating material which has no harmful effect on the contents, which treatment makes the receptacle liquid-tight. The receptacle is then filled with the liquid contents by pouring the contents into the receptacle through the aligned openings II in main closure flaps I2 and I4.

After the receptacle has been filled, a cap C, which may be made of wax-coated fiberboard material, is-applied to the aligned openings II. It will be noted that cap C has a depressed center portion 26 and an annular overhanging lip I0, and is so shaped and proportioned as to fit snugly into the aligned filling openings II. Since the main closure flaps I2 and I4 form a wall of considerable thickness when these flaps are superimposed on each other and firmly glued together, the defining edge of aligned openings II provide a surface against which the annular rim 2'! of cap 0 fits snugly and'tightly to close the receptacle after it has been filled.

Thereafter flap I5 may be folded down and its outer edge 23 slipped under the unglued portion 20 of flap I3. It will be noted that the glued tab It has been previously secured to portion I9 of the sealing flap I5. The glued surface I of flap It may be pressed into adhesive engagement with the unglued surface I of main closure flap I4 to further hold flap I5 in fiat position over the main closure flap I4 so that the unglued portion 2I thereof overliesand covers the cap C and its associated annular lip III to protect the cap from contamination. In opening the container the unglued portion 2I of fiap I5 may be swung upwardly, thereby uncovering the closure cap C to permit removal thereof and give access to the contents. The cap C can be replaced as desired and the unglued portion 22 of sealing flap I5 again folded down to cover and protect the cap C.

In the second form of the invention, shown in Figs. '7 to 12 inclusive, there is shown a. container which is substantially the same as the container shown in Figs. 1 to 6 with minor modifications. As shown in Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive, the main body portion D of the receptacle comprises side wall panels 3I, 32, 33 and 34 defined by vertically extending score lines a. A securing fiap 35 is hinged to panel 34, fiap 35 being secured to the vertical free edge of panel 3I by adhesive. Bottom-forming flaps 36, 31, 38 and 39 are hinged to the Jower ends of side wall panels 3|, 32, 33 and 34 respectively along a transversely extending score line b and are adapted to be adhesively secured together in overlapped relationship to form the bottom of the container.

The other end of the container is formed by main closure flaps 42 and 44 and sealing flaps 43 and 45 which are respectively hinged to side wall panels 3| and 33, 32 and 34 along a transversely extending score line 0. Main closure flaps 42 and 44 may be similar to main closure flaps I2 and I4 shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, and sealing flap 43 may be similar to sealing fiap I3 shown in Figs. '1 to 6 inclusive. Main closure flaps 42 and 44 are each provided with a circular pouring opening II which align with one another when flaps 42 and 44 are folded in superimposed position. Tabs 46, 41 and 48 extendv laterally from main closure flap 42 and are hinged thereto along score lines d so arranged that the area of main flap I2 is substantially the same as the cross-sectional area of the upper end of the container section D.

Adhesive is supplied to the entire surface f of main closure flap I2 and its associated tabs 46, 41 and 48. A strip of adhesive is applied in a substantially continuous straight line to surface 9 only of sealing flaps 43 and 45and'main closure fiap 44. It will be noted that this strip of adhesive covers only a portion IQ of flaps 43, 44 and 45 adjacent the score line and the outer portions 43', 44' and 45' of flaps 43,44 and 45 are free of adhesive.

In closing the upper end of the container, flap 42 is folded down so that its'peripheral edge defining score line it is generally in alignment with the score line 0 at the base of flaps 43, 44 and 45. Tab 46 is then pressed into, engagement with the adhesive strip on sealing flap 45, tab 41 is pressed into engagement with a strip of adhesive on main closure flap 44, and tab 48 is pressed into engagement with adhesive on sealing flap 43.

The sealing flap 44 is then folded down into adhesive contact with the glued surface I of main closure flap 42, and it will be noted that the pouring openings, II in closure flaps 42 and 44 will then be in alignment, with closure flap 44 covering substantially the entire area of main closure flap 42. Sealing flaps 43 and 45 are then folded down to overlie the closure flap 44. It will be noted. that sealing flap 43 becomes firmly secured to the secondary closure flap 44 by reason of the adhesive applied to the surface f of tab 48 and sealing flap 45 is firmly secured to the secondary closure flap 44 by the adhesive applied to the surface 1 of tab 46.

When the sealing flaps 43 and 45 have been thus secured in position, the aligned pouring openings II will be uncovered and exposed. The receptacle is then treated with paraflin or similar coating materials to make it leakproof. The container is then filled with the contents and suitable sealing cap applied.

In Fig. 10 I have shown a modified form 0 closure member for the opening in this top of the container. prises an oblong paper board member which in length is substantially equal to the distance across the top of the container member between the side wall panels 3| and 33 and in width it is substantially equal to the distance between the glued tabs 46 and 48. Located within this member 50 is a depressed section 5| corresponding in diameter to the diameter. of the opening II in the container. This closure member may be ,inserted under the unglued portions 43' and 45' of. the flaps 43 and '45 with the depressed portion fitted into the opening in the container. It can thu be seen that the opening in the container may be readily sealed and due to the large portion of the closure member overlying the top of the container, the opening will be protected from contamination. v

Also due to the fact that this closure niember and top protecting member is adapted to slide in under the unglued portions of the flaps 43 and 45, it may be easily slid back on the container onceit has been removed and will be firmly held in position, thus avoiding any danger of displacement of the closure member and consequent contamination of the contents of /the container. Furthermore, the pouring lip of the container will be adequately protected by the overlying flange'portion of the top closure member and prevent contamination thereof.

In addition, I have provided an economical receptacle which complies with the requirements in numerouslocalities that the pouring opening be closedand that the surrounding surface be covered to protect it from contamination.

Furthermore, Ihave provided an integral cov- 8 Surfaces O Said in flaps, Outer fl p This closure'member com-' ering member which may be used to protect the opening when its closure member ha been removed. r

In general my improved container is so eco- .nomical in material andinexpensive to construct that it can be discarded or destroyed after once being used at less cost to the distributor and consumer than the glass and metal containers now widely used for delivering milk and other perishable or liquid food products.

All of the.assembly operations may be performed manually or'mechanically' upon machines now used for performing corresponding operations upon different types of receptacles by suitably adjusting and adapting such machines to their new usefor .by machines especially designed to perform them.

While certain. novel featuresof the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A receptacle for liquid food products comprising a paperboard body section, main. closure flaps integral with said body section adapted to be folded .over' each other to fomi a multiple-ply laminated top for the receptacle, a sealing flap arranged to overlie said 'main closure flap having glue on a predetermined portion of said sealing flap whereby said sealing flap may be adhesively united when folded to said main closure-flaps, said sealing flap having an unglued end portion, a'free flap opposite said sealing flap adapted to have its end inserted beneath said unglued portion oi said sealing flap, a pouring and filling opening in said top, a closure cap therefor, said free flap adapted to overlie said closure cap whereby to protect it from contamination.

2. A paperboard blank adapted to form a retherein, said main closure flaps being so arranged that when folded upon each other said openings will be in registry, tab portions on one of said inner closure 'fiaps, glue over predetermined areas of said top closure flaps and said tabs whereby said top closure flaps may be united when folded down upon each other, said top closure flaps also including an outer closure flap having an unglued portion extending from one side wall section and another outer closure flap extending from another sidewall section adapted to be folded down upon said inner closure flaps when in folded positionand inserted beneath the unglued portion of said flrst-mene tioned outer closure flap whereby to form a r sealing and protecting cover for said opening.

3. A receptacle for liquid food products comprising a paper board body section, inner flaps integral with said bodysection and adapted to be folded over upon each other to form a multiple-ply laminated top for the receptacle, adhesive between substantially the entire contacting adhesive between predetermined portions of their surfaces and the surface of the adjacent inner flap, said outer flaps having unglued portions adjacent their outer ends as folded, .a filling and pouring opening in'saidtop, and a closure therefor adapted to overlie said opening and protect it from contamination, said outer flaps assisting in retaining said closure in closing position.

4. A receptacle for liquid food products com-' prising a paper board body section, inner closure flaps integral with said body section and adapted to be folded over upon each other to form a multiple-ply laminated top for the receptacle, glue adhesively uniting said inner closure flaps over substantially their entire contacting surfaces,

tending from certain of said side walls, said cover flaps being overlapped and adhesively secured to provide a closed top, a pouring opening in said top. a removable closure member seated in said pouring opening, a first protective flap extending from a side wall and adhesively secured in part to said top and having its free edge portion unsecured, and a second protective flap extending from another side wall and re- 'movably overlying said closure member and having its free-edge inserted under the free edge of saidflrst protective flap,

6. A paperboard receptacle formed from a single blank and comprising a closed bottom, side walls extending therefrom, cover flaps extending from certain of said side walls, said cover flaps being overlapped and adhesively secured to pro-' vide a top, a pouring opening in said top forming 'flaps, a'removable closure member seated in said pouring opening, and retaining flaps extending from opposite side walls and adhesively secured in part to said top and having their free edge portions unsecured-and at least partially over-' lying said closure member to assist'in retaining said closure member.

HUTCHINSON s. HINKLE. 

